President's Message

Presidential Message April 10, 2006

I attended the Society's mid-year meeting April 4-9, 2006 with Chuck Reich, our Stores Director There were several meetings:

• The Executive Directors developed the priorities for future meetings.

• The Finance and Governance Committee discussed finances, and a proposal that I had previously submitted to change the way the votes for National president are counted, is individual Conferences would have more impact.

• The National Formation committee gave us a preview of the new Formation video, and Formator's guide that provides information for a basic Ozanam, and an orientation after a pulpit announcement. Each participant will receive a new booklet.   This orientation will inform people who are thinking of joining the Society, so they can decide.  There are also videos of the LA and Phoenix home visits that will run on a laptop.  The basic Ozanam charts show the relationships of SVDP, so that a "student" will understand the need for servant leadership at all levels. If we do not understand this, our Society could atrophy.  This information is quite professional, and will be provided to the Formation Committee for future use.  I will have more to say on Formation at a later time.

• The Phoenix Council showed a new video for the Voice of the Poor.  This video will be available for Conferences to learn more about VOP, and working on the root causes of poverty.  I will be requesting a contact from each Conference to receive email, and share information on the Voice of the Poor, and other areas.  This person will not have to attend any extra meetings.

• Western Region meeting
  
  
  • Ben Vaissade, Western Region Chair, conducted the meeting at which we heard a financial report, and heard about the Western Region meetings in Marin (June 2006), and Billings, MT (2007).

• We had a formation/spiritual retreat given by Sr. Kieran.

• On Friday, we had the first of three parts of the National Business meeting (the rest was on Saturday):
  
  
  • At the National Business meeting, Joe Flannigan, our National President, the Council had received $50,000 for International shares from 36 donors.  Joe also enumerated some of the International activities.
    
    
  • Terry Wilson, National VP, reviewed the National Strategic plan and suggested that each Council should have one, so they have direction for the future.
    
    
  • Bill Martyn, National Treasurer, reported that the finances are in good shape.
    
    
  • Pat O'Dea, Finance and Governance Chair, and Sheila Gilbert National Formation and Training VP reported as previously noted.  In addition, Pat said that the new bylaws for a typical Conference should be activated with each Conference shortly after we receive final approval of the Rule, part 3 in May 2006.
    
    
  • Randy Delgado, Communications, reported on a web based membership system, and several radio and TV ads.
    
    
  • Leigh Ann Cipriano, National Youth Chair, reported on young Vincentians, and plans to establish SVDP at one college in each region (eight total).
    
    
  • Ray Sickenger, Vincentian Services, reported on elder care, housing, and diversity. He also mentioned different kinds of twinning (projects, disaster, formation, cluster, and stores). Three twinning scenarios in Central America including a rebuilding program in Haiti, a farming program in Panama, and building up the National Council of Mexico.
    
    
  • Ray Dupont, Stores Chair reported on workshops for the stores that included spirituality, response to disaster, store operations (OSHA, employee relations, new merchandise, and opportunities for increased revenues), and auto sales.
    
    
  • Sam Carrocci, Disaster chair reported on the hurricanes.
    
    
  • Roger Playwin reported on governance, and in particular the new requirements that the congress is legislating to change definitions and thus our status.  This is a follow on to the changes last year on automobile sales, and how the autos were valued. Some people in congress think that the government is being cheated by some actions related to non-profits, and want to tighten the requirements.  These will require that the Council to apply for a separate identification.  Currently the basis of our 501 (c) (3) status is that of being listed in the Catholic Directory.  In the future this will not be good enough.  We will be required to apply as an independent organization with all the Conferences included.

• Western Region meeting
  
  
  • Ben Vaissade, Western Region Chair, conducted the meeting at which we heard a financial report, and heard about the Western Region meetings in Marin (June 2006), and Billings, MT (2007).

Finally we had our Mass in the old Cathedral.  The first SVDP meeting took place here on November 20, 1845. A plaque on the outside wall attests to this historical event.

Of course, I met with many very dedicated, and life loving Vincentians.

Ed Hartmann, April 10, 2006

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